Question for members (please please make your views known)

[Mark Cameron]

Hi

There are approx 700 members of this forum. The current poll on the proposed plans for the development of the old Scottish Power site currently has a measly 39 votes. This seems really poor given there appears to be a war raging between some of the Community Council members, forum members and the developers.

My 3 questions below aren't related to the proposed development and are more to do with trying to understand how we, the people of Porty (aka The Community), can get involved in giving our opinion on the issues that affect our community in order that a balanced view is taken on board.

I hope the questions are simple.

1) Would you be willing in principle to allow the Community Council to email you with info about local issues and to ask for your opinion on these?

2) Have you ever been canvassed by the community council on any issue?

3) Do you think this forum encourages you to put forward your opinion on local issues - would a different forum be easier to keep up to date with (eg a Facebook group)

ps. I have no link with the community council (although am considering whether I could get involved) and neither do I have any link with the planner mentioned above (i'm just a simple Porty resident who wants to see a vibrant, engaged community).

[Epykat]

Hi Mcdryburn

There are approximately 700 MEMBERs of this forum but a very small proportion of them are now active members - maybe they pop in from time to time, but generally it's only a few who post on a regular basis.

To answer your simple questions simply:

1. yes
2. don't think so
3. no and yes

Hope that helps!

[Franck]

1) Would you be willing in principle to allow the Community Council to email you with info about local issues and to ask for your opinion on these?

Yes.I emailed the community council today and have had prompt responses and good dialogue from more than one representative.

2) Have you ever been canvassed by the community council on any issue?

No

3) Do you think this forum encourages you to put forward your opinion on local issues - would a different forum be easier to keep up to date with (eg a Facebook group)

Probably, but I'm happy to use this forum too.The problem looks to be that this site lacks footfall.I'd look at a facebook page, but given I found facebook incredibly dull and deleted my account, i'd find it hard!

[Puerto bella]

In response:

1.Yes - I receive Maureen Child's newsletter which is very useful I also go along to CC meetings now and again to see what's happening.

2.Yes. I speak to some of the members that I know in the street if I bump into them and make my views known to them if there is something I feel strongly about ie traffic in Bath St and they've been really supportive to be honest; in the same way as I make my views known to the councillors if I meet them.

3. This forum - the answer would be a big fat no. Would prefer a facebook group. At times this forum represents a free for all coded slanging match and it sucks to be honest. Keep it clean and stop the sh*t stirring and it'd be a happier place and there would be more posters and less lurkers. How long before that gets Wangi'd?

[wangi]

How long before that gets Wangi'd?

You what?

Facebook is great and all, but I think you'd find it is even more susceptible to "slagging and shit stirring"!

[Puerto bella]

Nope have to disagree - never seen anything as bad as what folk get away with on here.

[wangi]

But you then give me a wee dig about the moderation that does happen... It's a no-win situation!

[Makaveli]

1. Yes
2. Don't think so.
3. No.

[Bob Jefferson]

I can't see what advantage a Facebook group would have. Who would run it? Who would moderate the discussions? The CC? You have to be joking. Facebook is fine for groups of friends or people who share a non-controversial interest, it isn't a place for serious debate. There is a lot that is wrong with the way the CC is run at present. That's why people are angry. And perhaps some of the criticism is unjustified but everyone has the right to reply. Wangi does an admirable job here in my opinion and if anyone thinks for a moment that it's easy to moderate a forum of this type then they are kidding themselves. If you start moderating posts then you are seen as stifling free speech and if you don't then you are accused of allowing bullying and offensive remarks. I imagine wangi is dealing with complaints on an almost daily basis at times, not to mention threats of legal action. Most of us here appreciate his efforts.

[Puerto bella]

But you then give me a wee dig about the moderation that does happen... It's a no-win situation!

No - its a situation that you find yourself in, a responsibility that you bear and you have to make a balanced decision, I respect that. The way that balanced decision is arrived at and how you play it is one I find hard to get my head around. I see things that I think, crikey that's close to the bone.

[Doris]

1. Yes
2. No, not that I can remember
3. No

[Porty]

1.Yes
2. Not canvassed as such but I have been to one or two public meetings that were hosted by PCC.
3. No- I like it here.

[Porty]

Keep it clean and stop the sh*t stirring and it'd be a happier place and there would be more posters and less lurkers. How long before that gets Wangi'd?

Wangi does an extraordinary job "keeping it clean and stopping the shit". This is a happy place,although I do accept there are some lurkers that are desperately unhappy about it. There's a handful that want it shut down. Most of those are the ones who want the PCC to speak for them alone and no others. They are consistent. As Clive Dunn used to opine "they don't like it up 'em"

No - its a situation that you find yourself in, a responsibility that you bear and you have to make a balanced decision..

Yeah, its just like in real life when one takes on a public role. What's your views on freedom of speech, limits and so on?

[Sandra]

1. yes
2. don't think so
3. no and yes

[sicker]

1. yes
2. no
3. no

[Lima]

Yes
No
Yes

Do not think Facebook would be the outlet for people and I for one prefer this forum over a Facebook discussion.

[Lambie]

1) Would you be willing in principle to allow the Community Council to email you with info about local issues and to ask for your opinion on these?

Yes definitely.

2) Have you ever been canvassed by the community council on any issue?

Not yet.

3) Do you think this forum encourages you to put forward your opinion on local issues - would a different forum be easier to keep up to date with (eg a Facebook group)

I like this forum, it's the only one I've ever joined and then stuck with. I've seen options on other forums where you can post your reply on Facebook, twitter and arious other social networking sites. Not so sure how any of that works though.

[Grunk]

1).
Of Course, If PCC are to represent me then they need to know my opinion and feelings ttoward local issues.

2).
No,

3).
This forum suits me fine, however, it is important that the means of gathering oppinion is inclusive, so I wouldn't be too concerned if people found a facebook group more accessible. Inclusiveness does mean that a number of methods of communication must be made available, so that everyone can have a fair say.
It also has to be understood that communities are different from those 15 years ago. Some people travel further to work, or work longer, and may not be present on the high street between 9 and 5. Some people embrace the online world, and some people shun it. This makes the task of getting the local opinion more difficult, but not impossible.

[wangi]

admin: 4 posts which were primarily about the Community Council have been moved to the Portobello Community Council thread.

I like this forum, it's the only one I've ever joined and then stuck with. I've seen options on other forums where you can post your reply on Facebook, twitter and various other social networking sites. Not so sure how any of that works though.

This forum is due an upgrade, and it's something I've been working on recently - evaluating the various options other than a migrating to the latest version of the current system. As part of that I've been looking into various tie-ins to social networking sites. So, expect something on that front.

L/

[Lizzie]

1. Yes
2. No
3. No

[Mark Cameron]

bump

12 people answered so far with 'Yes' to question and not one no. I know the respose rate is low but the majority seem to see email as a good way to contact.

I realise email is not fully inclusive so there needs to be a balance struck to garner views of everyone but to me email seems like a good place to start?

[Lones]

1) yes
2) No
3) Yes

[rapunzell]

1) yes
2) sort of
3) yes, no